2018 Free Agent Keith Patton

Who are you playing with in 2017?2017 – I didn’t play with any team in 17’ on the account of coming back from an arm injury.

2018 Free Agent – kdpatton1393@gmail.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?Can play INF but prefer Outfield at the higher level

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?This is a hard one, but the best I believe I have seen in person would be Connell.

Why do you like the game of softball?I like the game because it keeps me competitive and also reminds me of all the good times I had playing baseball.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?Kyle Pearson for sure. Because he is on another level of hitting a softball and does it consistently

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?K.D.

What is your height and weight?6’3” 215lb

Where do you call home?Poseyville, IN

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?Most likely hanging with friends and having some drinks

What do you do for a living?I’m currently unemployed but was a Digital Content analyst for Mead Johnson (Enfamil)

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?Yes I played Basketball and Baseball in High School. I quit basketball my sophomore year to focus more on baseball. I played all 4 years of baseball / 3 years of college at 3 different schools Southeastern Illinois / Vincennes University / Lindsey Wilson NAIA and then I unfortunately transferred again to focuse on my degree and once I finished that I got signed at the Frontier League Independent tryout by the Evansville Otters.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?I actually played my first time in Owensboro in a tournament with a friend of mine because they were short a player. The local D coach saw what he liked and then I started running with them to finish the year out. To follow that I played in the Bombs for Baxter tournament with a bunch of Kentucky guys to raise money for Baxter and did really well and then put a lot of work in over the winter and got picked up onto TKO Thunder by Joey Terrell and had a lot of looks and got an opportunity with Miken 4tf / CAGear as an OF coming off the bench and met a lot of great guys and players but ended up falling apart that year as you know.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?The biggest difference for me would be the pitching and definitely how hard the ball is getting hit to the defense…let’s just say I would rather take ground balls in the game of baseball

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?I think everyone is definitely different in their own ways, so no I don’t think there is anyone that I would mention off hand

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?I guess that would be the walk-off against Worsham in the Columbus, OH Major with 4TF.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?I would have to say my good friend Randall Rammage. He’s one of the best guys you can be around along with one of the most competitive I have ever met. He teaches young guys how to WIN and most importantly play the game the right way.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?I guess I would have to say hardwork and complete dedication to loving the game of softball. Don’t expect to perform well without putting in the work. It takes the same effort as it would any other sport collegiately. But for the most important thing you have to BELIEVE.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?Just athletic tape on the handle and over the knob. I swing a 26oz el or 27bal.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?In the off-season I lift and around my area there isn’t any places close to get indoors to hit softballs but back a few years ago I would drive to hit indoors with Nick Utley.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?My favorite sports team is the St. Louis Cardinals, along with Baseball being my other favorite sport.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?Yes, never step on the foul lines in between innings….

What would be your "at bat" music selection?I would say J-Cole / I’m on it

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?I think maybe the marketing. Get more people aware of the USSSA conference. Implement the overall experience as a whole and the actual reality that guys get paid to play this game if you have the skill.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?My favorite tournament would have to be the Tavern Tourney in St Wendel Indiana. Because it’s out in God’s country (what we call it). A baseball sized field/unlimited homers with all of my softball family.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?I would have to say Astro’s spring training in Kissimmee, FL at the dual

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?Wawa’s …cheap…and multiple types of sandwiches

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?When my good friend Piglet/Josh Bowen was yelling at the Umpire giving directions from RF of “LEFT!” and “Right!” because he couldn’t see the batter….

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?That I pitched in college/independent Baseball

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?My favorite gift I was given was definitely a wooden baseball bat that my Grandpa had made back in High School that was customized with my name and mascot